Up against much of the best of what the division rival Braves have to offer -- and under the lights at Roger Dean Stadium -- Eovaldi was excellent in five innings, scattering just three hits and one run (a Freddie Freeman home run). He struck out four and did not walk a batter.

"Playing under the lights, that's just a different atmosphere," Eovaldi said. "We're so used to playing under the lights, and being able to get out there and get a start, that's just fun. They had their good lineup out there, and luckily I was locating my pitches for the most part and getting ahead in the count."

After Freeman led off the second with the deep blast to right field, B.J. Upton doubled. But Eovaldi was able to limit the damage by retiring the next three hitters in order.

"No walks, that was a huge part of it, too," the righty said. "Working ahead, getting relatively quick outs. Staying ahead in counts."

After throwing 70 pitches on Wednesday (49 strikes), Eovaldi said he expects to get up to around 85 in his next outing.